Prefabricated wall



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3,061,894 PREFABRICA'IED WALL Ernest H. Kamisato, 45-644 Kionaole Road,Kaneohe, Oahu, Hawaii Filed Oct. 14, 1958, Ser. No. 767,164 2 Claims.(Cl. 204) This invention relates in general to new and usefulimprovements in building construction, and more specifically to animproved prefabricated wall construction.

In the formation of buildings in the tropics, and other places where theweather remains warm the year around, it is not necessary that thebuildings have double walls. It is therefore the primary object of thisinvention to provide a wall which may be formed of a plurality of panelmembers or boards, which wall is secured in assembled condition by otherstructural elements of the building and which may be readily swung intoplace after being prefabricated.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved prefabricatedwall construction, the prefabricated wall construction being of such anature whereby it may be readily anchored with respect to the floorstructure of a building and swung from a horizontal position overlyingthe floor structure to an upright position which it will occupy whenforming a wall of the building.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved method oferecting building walls, the method including the steps of forming thebuilding wall and placing the building wall in overlying relation to thefloor structure of a building, securing to the building wall and to thefioor structure hinge straps, and turning the building wall into itsupright wall forming position with its lower end being restrained by thehinge straps and the hinge straps functioning partially as the means forsecuring the building wall to the floor structure.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved hinge strapwhich may be used for the purpose of securing the building wall to afloor joist with the building wall overlying over the floor joistwhereby the building wall may be anchored and swung to a verticalposition from a horizontal position and supported on a sill of the floorstructure.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improvedprefabricated wall, which wall is formed of a plurality of elongatedpanel members or boards which have the lower portions thereof securedtogether by a base board member and the upper portions thereof securedtogether by a ceiling supporting member whereby the individual panelmembers of the panel are secured together by elements which have afurther function in the building construction.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improvedprefabricated interior partition wall, the prefabricated interiorpartition wall being formed of a plurality of panel members or boardsdisposed in edge abutting relation, the lower ends of the panel membersbeing secured together by baseboards disposed on opposite sides thereofand their upper ends being secured together by a ceiling supportingmember.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an improvedpartition wall construction which includes a panel wall having securedto opposite sides of the base thereof baseboards and having secured tothe upper edge thereof in overlying relation a ceiling supportingmember, the ceiling supporting member having molding defined portionsdisposed on opposite sides of the panel wall and below the ceilingwhereby once the partition Wall has been erected and the ceiling putinto place, the partition wall is finished.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a vertical sectional view taken through a buildingincorporating one form of prefabricated interior partition wall, theview being taken through the partition wall with portions thereof beingshown in section, the intermediate portion of the partition wall beingomitted;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantiallyupon the plane indicated by the section line 2-2 of FIGURE 1 and showsfurther the details of the partition wall;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary perspective view on a reduced scale takenthrough the lower portion of the partition Wall and shows the detail ofconstruction thereof;

FIGURE 4 is a vertical sectional view taken through an outer part of thebuilding of FIGURE 1 and shows the details of an exterior wall thereof,an intermediate portion of the exterior wall being omitted;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantiallyupon the plane indicated by the section line 55 of FIGURE 4 and on asmall scale, the view showing details of the exterior wall;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIGURE 4 and showsthe baseboard of the exterior wall secured to the floor structure by thehinge straps;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken through amodified form of exterior wall and shows the specific details thereof,including the details of a hinge strap securing the exterior wall to afloor joist, intermediate portion of the exterior Wall being omitted;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantiallyupon a plane indicated by the section line 88 of FIGURE 7 and showfurther the construction of the lower portion of the exterior wall;

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIGURE 7 and showsthe relationship of the baseboard of the exterior wall and the hingestrap prior to the erection of the exterior wall;

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken through the interior ofthe building and shows a modified form of partition wall, anintermediate portion of the partition wall being omitted;

FIGURE 11 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view on a reduced scaletaken substantially upon the plane in dicated by the section line Iii-11of FIGURE 10 and shows further the details of the partition wall; and

FIGURE 12 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIGURE 10 and showsa baseboard of the partition wall secured to the floor structure priorto the erection of the partition wall.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that there isillustrated in FIGURES l, 2 and 3 a building construction which isreferred to in general by the reference numeral 10. The buildingconstruction 10 includes a floor structure which is referred to ingeneral by the reference numeral 12, a partition wall which is referredto in general by the reference numeral 14, and a ceiling structure whichis referred to in general by the reference numeral 16.

The floor structure 12 is of a conventional type and includes floorjoists 18 which are disposed in spaced parallel relation and which havesecured thereto in overlying relation flooring 20. If desired, asuitable floor covering, such as Masonite or the like may overlie theflooring 20. The floor covering is referred to by the reference numeral22.

The partition wall 14 includes a wall panel 24. The wall panel 24 may beof any construction, but is preferably formed of a plurality ofelongated panel members 26 which may be in the form of boards. The panelmembers 26 are disposed in flat edge abutting relation and have theirlower portions secured together by mounting baseboards 28 and 30disposed on opposite sides thereof. The baseboard 28 is secured to thepanel members 26 by means of a plurality of nails 32. Similar nails 34secure the baseboard 30 to the panel members 26.

The upper ends of the panel members 26 are also secured together by aceiling engaging and supporting member which is referred to in generalby the reference numeral 36. The member 36 is initially generallyrectangular in outline and is milled to provide an upper surface 38, apair of lower molding defining surfaces 40 and a centrally disposedrecess 42. The upper ends of the panel members 26 are seated in therecess and the member 36 secured to the panel members 26 by use of nails44.

The ceiling construction 16 is of a conventional type and includesceiling joists 46 which are disposed in spaced parallel relation.Secured to the ceiling joists 46 is a ceiling board 48.

The partition wall 14 is of a height to extend between the floorcovering 22 and the underside of the ceiling board 48. The partitionwall 14 is prefabricated at a site remote from the building site and istransported into place. 'It is then erected in its vertical positionafter which it is secured in place by means of nails 59 which arepreferably driven in diagonal relation down through the lower portionsof the baseboards 28 and 30, through the flooring 20, as is best shownin FIGURES l and 2. The upper surface 38 of the member 48 abuts theceiling board 48 in a supporting position and the member 36 is securedto the ceiling joists 46 by means of nails 52 which are drivendiagonally upwardly through the molding defining portions 40, throughthe ceiling board 48 and into the ceiling joists 46, as is best shown inFIGURES l and 2.

Referring now to FIGURES 4, and 6, it will be seen that there isillustrated a second form of building construction which is referred toin general by the reference numeral 60. The building construction 60includes a floor structure 62, an exterior wall 64 and a ceilingstructure 66.

The floor structure 62 includes a frame member 68 on which there areseated ends of floor joists 70. Also seated on the frame member 68 is afloor sill 72. Overlying the floor joists 70 and the floor sill 72 isflooring 74.

The exterior wall 64 is of a prefabricated construction and includes awall panel 76 which is formed of a plurality of panel members 78 whichmay be in the form of boards. The panel members 78 are secured togetherintermediate their ends by means of a mounting baseboard 80. The panelmembers 78 are secured to the baseboard 80 by nails 82. The panelmembers 78 are also secured together adjacent their upper ends by meansof a longitudinal frame member 84 which also functions as a ceilingsupport. The frame member 84 is secured to the panel 78 by means ofnails 86.

In the erection of the prefabricated wall 64, there is secured to thebaseboard 80 at spaced intervals hinge straps which are referred to ingeneral by the reference numeral 88. Each of the hinge straps 88 isZ-shaped in cross-section and includes an end flange 90, an intermediateflange 92 and an end flange 94.

In the erection of the exterior wall 64, the floor structure 62 iscompleted including a drip plate 96 secured to the frame member 68, asis best shown in FIGURE 4.

The baseboard 80 is then laid on the flooring 74 adjacent the edgethereof in the position best shown in FIGURE 6. The hinge strap 88 isthen positioned with respect to the baseboard 80, as shown in FIGURE 6,with the end flange 90 overlying a lower part of the baseboard 80. Theend flange 90 is then secured to the baseboard 80 by means of nails 98with the intermediate flange 92 engaging the lower edge of the baseboard80. The end flange 94 is then secured to the flooring 74 by nails 100.This having been completed, the remainder of the exterior wall 64 issecured to the baseboard 80.

Once the exterior wall 64 has been prefabricated being secured inassembled condition to the mounting baseboard and is lying on the floorstructure 62, it is then erected by swinging upwardly and outwardly. Thehinge straps 88 restrain the movement of the baseboard portion of theexterior wall 64 and as a result the exterior wall 64 swings into theposition illustrated in FIGURE 4. It is then secured in place by meansof nails 102 and 104 which are driven through the panel members 78 andinto the sill 72 and the frame member 68, as is best shown in FIGURE 4.

The ceiling structure 66 is formed primarily of ceiling board 106. Theceiling board 106 is now secured in place on the underside of the member84.

The exterior wall 64 is next completed by placing an intersection of theflooring 74 and baseboard 80 a molding 108. A similar molding 110 issecured at the intersection of the ceiling board 106 and the wall panel76.

Referring now to FIGURES 7, 8 and 9, it will be seen that there isillustrated another form of building construction which is referred toin general by the reference numeral 120. The building constructionincludes a floor structure 122, an exterior wall 124 and a ceilingstructure 126.

In the erection of the building construction 120, only a portion of thefloor structure 122 is erected. This portion includes a frame 128, floorjoists and a sill 132. If desired, a drip plate 134 may also beinstalled. After this much of the floor structure 122 has been erected,the exterior wall 124 is erected.

The exterior wall 124 includes a wall panel 136 which is preferablyformed of a plurality of panel members 138 which may be in the form ofboards. The intermediate portion of the individual panel members areconnected to a mounting baseboard 140 by means of nails 142 which serveto retain the panel members 138 in flat edge abutting relation. Theupper ends of the panel members 138 are also secured together by meansof a frame member 144 which also functions as a ceiling support. Thepanel members 138 are secured to the frame member 144 by nails 146.

In the erection of the exterior wall 124, there are first secured to thebaseboard 140 a plurality of hinge straps which are referred to ingeneral by the reference numeral 148. Each of the hinge straps 148includes a generally C-shaped portion 150 which includes an upper flange152, an intermediate flange 154 and a lower flange 156. Integrallyconnected to the lower flange 156 and sloping downwardly and awaytherefrom is a diagonal flange 158 which terminates in an eye 160, theeye 160 being disposed parallel to the planes of the flanges. The-C-shaped end portion 150 is slipped over the lower edge of thebaseboard 140 with the baseboard 140 being disposed in ahorizontal'position. The flange 152 is secured to the baseboard 140 bymeans of nails 162.

It is to be understood that the spacing of the hinge straps 148 is suchthat each hinge strap 148 is disposed adjacent one of the floor joists130. With the baseboard 140 lying along the floor joists 130, as is bestshown in FIGURE 9, the hinge strap 148 is secured to the floor joists130 by driving nails' 162 through the eyes 160 thereof. After thebaseboard 140 has been so secured in place, the remainder of theexterior wall 124 is secured thereto.

Once the exterior wall 124 has been completed, it is swung upwardly toits vertical position of FIGURE 7. When in this position, it is securedin place by means of nails 164 and 166 which extend through the panelmembers 138 into the sill 132 and the frame member 128, respectively.

After the exterior wall 124 has been installed, the

flooring 168 is secured in overlying relation to the floor joists 130 tocomplete the floor structure 122.

The frame member 144 is provided in the inner upper corner thereof witha recess 170. The recess 178 receives celling boards 172 which form theceiling structure 126. The frame member 144 also functions as a moldingbetween the ceiling boards 172 and the exterior wall 124.

Referring now to FIGURES 10, 11 and 12 in particular, it will be seenthat there is illustrated a fourth form of building construction whichis referred to in general by the reference numeral 180. The buildingconstruction 180 includes a floor structure 182, a partition wall 184and a ceiling structure 186.

The floor structure 182 includes a plurality of floor joists 188.Extending between the floor joists 188 in alignment with the partitionwall 184 are frame members 190. If desired, the frame members 190 may beformed in one-piece and the floor joist 183 notched to receive it.

The partition wall 184 includes a wall panel 192 which is formed of aplurality of panel members 194 which may be in the form of boards. Thepanel members 192 have the lower ends thereof secured together withpanel members in edge abutting relation by means of a pair of mountingbaseboards 196 and 198 disposed on opposite sides thereof. The baseboard196 is secured to the panel members 194 by means of nails 200 and thebaseboard 198 is secured to the panel members 194 by means of nails 202.

v Ihe upper ends of the panel members 194 are also secured together by amember 204. The members 204 serve to secure the panel members 194together, to support a portion of the ceiling structure 186 and to forma molding. The member 204 includes downwardly projecting moldingdefining portions 206 disposed on opposite sides of a notch 208receiving the upper ends of the panel members 194. The member 204 alsoincludes an upper portion 210 which has disposed on opposite sidesthereof notches 212. A member 204 is secured to the panel members 194 bymeans of nails 214.

After the floor joists 188 and the frame member 190 has been installed,the baseboard 198 is laid on the floor joists 188. Prior to thepositioning of the baseboard 198 on the floor joists 188, there issecured at the lower part thereof at spaced intervals hinge straps 216,which end straps are straight and flat. The hinge straps 216 are securedto the baseboard 198 by means of nails 218. The hinge straps 216 arealso secured to the frame member 190 by means of nails 218.

Once the baseboard 198 has been secured to the floor structure 182 bymeans of the hinge straps 216, the remainder of the remainder of thepartition wall 184 is secured thereto. The partition wall 184 is thenswung up to the vertical position of FIGURE 10. It is then secured inthis position by nails 220 driven diagonally through the member 204 upinto ceiling joists 222 which form part of the ceiling structure 186.

After the partition wall 184 has been erected, flooring 224 is securedin overlying relation to the floor joists on opposite sides of thebaseboards 196 and 198. If desired, molding 226 may be secured at theintersections of the flooring 224 and the baseboards 196 and 198.

Finally the ceiling structure 186 is completed by securing the ceilingboards 228 in place. It is to be noted that the ceiling boards 228 havethe edges thereof seated in the notches 212.

From the foregoing, it will be readily apparent that there has beendevised several forms of prefabricated partition walls which may beeasily constructed and which are of such a structure whereby the costthereof is very low. Furthermore, there have been devised means forerecting the prefabricated walls by swinging them upwardly with thelower ends thereof anchored to the floor structure so that once theprefabricated walls are in vertical position, they are in their finalposition. In addition to this, the building construction of thisinvention is of such a nature whereby the prefabricated walls, eitherinterior or exterior, may be erected either before or after the flooringis installed.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention asclaimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A prefabricated wall comprising a wall panel loosely consisting ofabutting panel sections interconnected by a ceiling support member, abaseboard secured to one side of said wall panels for holding said panelsections in assembled relation, and hinge straps secured to and embeddedin said baseboard between said one side of the wall panel and saidbaseboard and projecting therefrom for securement to a floor structurewhereby said wall panel may be swung from a horizontal position lying onsaid floor structure to a vertical position in which the hinge strap ishidden, each hinge strap having an eye remote from said baseboard withsaid eye having an axis parallel to said baseboard whereby a nail may bedriven horizontally through said eye to secure said eye to a floor joistof said floor structure.

2. The construction of claim 1 wherein each hinge strap initially has aC-shaped portion remote from said eye extending about a lower edge ofsaid baseboard.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS OTHERREFERENCES Construction Methods and Equipment, May 1956, pp. 52-54.

